Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

4.5K
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
4.5K
Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic01:15

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic

6.2K
Nicotinic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by acetylcholine and nicotine. Upon activation, they cause a rapid increase in the permeability of cells to K+, Na+, and Ca2+, followed by depolarization and excitation. They are in the autonomic ganglia, skeletal neuromuscular junction, CNS, and adrenal medulla.
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...
6.2K
Long-term Potentiation01:35

Long-term Potentiation

59.1K
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
59.1K
Long-term Potentiation01:25

Long-term Potentiation

3.7K
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when...
3.7K
Ligand-gated Ion Channels01:19

Ligand-gated Ion Channels

14.8K
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that...
14.8K
Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission01:27

Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

5.6K
Postganglionic sympathetic fibers (except those supplying the sweat glands) releasing noradrenaline or norepinephrine are called noradrenergic or adrenergic neurons. Noradrenaline, dopamine, adrenaline, or epinephrine are collectively called "catecholamines" as they contain a catechol moiety and an amine side chain. The five stages of neurotransmitter release involve their synthesis, storage, release, reuptake and metabolism.
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which...
5.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Droplet Fusion as a Relaxation Process: Comparison with Shape Recovery of Newtonian and Viscoelastic Droplets.

ArXivĀ·2026
Same author

Complex Effects of Salt on Small-Angle X-ray Scattering of BSA Originate from the Interplay of Ions and Hydration Water.

The journal of physical chemistry lettersĀ·2026
Same author

Counteraction of HMGB1 at ss-dsDNA junctions maintains liquidity of protamine-DNA co-condensates.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biologyĀ·2026
Same author

Complex Effects of Salt on Small-Angle X-ray Scattering of BSA Originate From the Interplay of Ions and Hydration Water.

ArXivĀ·2026
Same author

The Wnt5a-PKCĪ“-GluA1 axis controls synapse-specific plasticity in HIV-1 gp120-induced pain pathogenesis.

Brain : a journal of neurologyĀ·2026
Same author

A membrane insertion code for intrinsically disordered proteins.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biologyĀ·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 7, 2026

A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate
04:48

A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate

Published on: July 10, 2018

9.8K

Advancing NMDA Receptor Physiology by Integrating Multiple Approaches.

Huan-Xiang Zhou1, Lonnie P Wollmuth2

  • 1Department of Physics and Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.

Trends in Neurosciences
|February 12, 2017
PubMed
Summary

NMDA receptors (NMDARs), crucial for brain function, are ion channels affected by mutations linked to neurological disorders. Understanding their activation mechanism is key to NMDAR research and treating related diseases.

More Related Videos

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording
13:07

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

Published on: June 9, 2014

25.6K
Application of a NMDA Receptor Conductance in Rat Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Using the Dynamic Clamp Technique
06:42

Application of a NMDA Receptor Conductance in Rat Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Using the Dynamic Clamp Technique

Published on: December 21, 2010

12.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 7, 2026

A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate
04:48

A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate

Published on: July 10, 2018

9.8K
One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording
13:07

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

Published on: June 9, 2014

25.6K
Application of a NMDA Receptor Conductance in Rat Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Using the Dynamic Clamp Technique
06:42

Application of a NMDA Receptor Conductance in Rat Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Using the Dynamic Clamp Technique

Published on: December 21, 2010

12.5K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are glutamate-activated ion channels vital for brain functions like learning and memory.
  • Missense mutations in NMDAR subunits are implicated in various neurological disorders, highlighting their critical role in health and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the activation mechanism of NMDA receptors, bridging glutamate binding to ion channel opening.
  • To explore the potential for atomic-level modeling of missense mutation effects on NMDAR function.
  • To identify promising strategies for future breakthroughs in NMDAR research.

Main Methods:

  • Integration of structural studies.
  • Incorporation of functional assays.
  • Application of computational modeling techniques.

Main Results:

  • Recent studies have significantly advanced understanding of the NMDAR activation process.
  • The field is nearing breakthroughs in resolving elementary activation steps and mutation impacts.
  • A multi-pronged approach combining diverse methodologies is identified as the most effective strategy.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding NMDAR activation is central to both normal brain physiology and pathophysiology.
  • Atomic-level insights into mutation effects on NMDAR function are within reach.
  • Integrated approaches promise significant advancements in NMDAR research and therapeutic development.